By FAIZA ABUBAKAR, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Council of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has hailed nurses across the state for their unity, resilience and commitment, describing 2025 as a year of “historic achievements and hard-won progress” for the profession.

In a New Year message to members, the State Chairman, Comrade Nurse Ishaku Yakubu, expressed gratitude to God and appreciated nurses for standing together in the struggle for improved welfare and working conditions. He said the collective push of the union resulted in the state’s approval and implementation of the CONHESS 2024 salary structure, which has significantly improved the welfare of nurses.

Yakubu commended Governor Uba Sani for approving the new salary table, improving security in health facilities and renovating secondary health institutions in the state. He said the development shows what nurses can achieve when they “speak with one voice and remain steadfast.”

The chairman also highlighted the association’s efforts in protecting professional standards, fighting quackery and improving the image of the nursing profession. He described the 2025 International Nurses Week celebration in Kaduna as the most successful ever held in the state, citing the high-quality participation, presentations and recognition awards.

However, he noted that the year was not without challenges. These included delays in promotion exercises in the Ministry of Health and its agencies, and attempts in some institutions to undermine the nursing profession.

Yakubu confirmed that nurses at the National Ear Care Centre had already withdrawn their services following what the union described as an attempt to downgrade the cadre of graduate nurses and employ them below the approved salary scale. He warned that the strike now in its second week could spread to other federal and state health institutions if the issue is not resolved.

The union also frowned at nurses who allegedly left Kaduna State service without proper resignation while still receiving salaries. Yakubu said such cases were already being tracked and those involved risk sanctions unless they formally resign.

Looking ahead, the association pledged to continue pursuing the implementation of hazard and uniform allowances for nurses at state and local government levels, and to ensure the adoption of the next CONHESS salary review once approved nationally.

Yakubu urged nurses to remain united, focused and professionally committed in 2026, and encouraged them to participate in the coming electioneering season including registering with political parties and contesting elective offices to help shape policy decisions affecting the sector.

He also offered prayers for members who lost colleagues or loved ones during the year and wished all nurses a peaceful and progressive 2026.